Is The Bible Too Challenging For Today’s Christians?

Christians know that the Bible is more than simply a moral code or a collection of stories: it’s a letter from God that demonstrates how He wants us to live.

But a recent survey of more than 3660 churchgoers and church leaders in England and Wales indicates that many Christians believe that the Bible’s expectations for them are too challenging. According to the survey, nearly three quarters of Christians say that the Bible challenges them to live in a way that is contrary to today’s culture – but that they nonetheless struggle to apply that challenge to their daily lives.

The results of the survey show that:

• Almost all churchgoers and church leaders believe that the Bible is relevant
• 91 per cent of church leaders and three-quarters of churchgoers feel challenged by the Bible to live their lives differently

These statistics demonstrate two crucial truths: that the Bible is relevant today and that it calls us to a higher standard of living.

• A third of churchgoers read the Bible daily and a quarter read it several times a week
• 39 per cent said that what they had read in the Bible affected a decision that they had made during the past week

We should constantly read our Bible and pray to God; not just once a day or whenever we remember. If all Christians did this, then more would be guided by it when making decisions.

• Many church leaders regard the Bible as very relevant to their own lives but they are not able to easily communicate it to others
• Both churchgoers and church leaders are concerned about the waning influence of the Bible and the church in society

In order for the Bible to have greater influence in the lives of Christians and society as a whole, Christians must make it their priority to study it. It’s not enough for us to rely on pastors for our spiritual teaching; we must take responsibility for taking up the Bible’s challenges for ourselves.
Is the Bible too challenging for today’s Christians? With prayer, study and God’s help – no, not at all.

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